Ted Purdy Bio

BIRTHDATE: Aug. 15, 1973
BIRTHPLACE: Phoenix, AZ.
Plays out of Moon Valley CC and Whisper Rock
HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 180
FAMILY: Wife, Arlene Rebecca; Samuel Walker (6/19/03); Andie Joanne (12/22/05)
EDUCATION: University of Arizona (1996, Finance)
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Stock market, skiing, boating, family time
TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 1996

OTHER INFORMATION:
Best 2008 finish was T10 at the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Paid homage to tournament luminary Chi Chi Rodriguez with putter-swordplay after draining a long birdie putt. "Not good. Needs more passion," Rodriguez kidded.  Won last spot into 2008 PODS Championship through Monday Qualifier when competitor no-showed for playoff. Local high school junior Kenny Cavender served as Purdy's caddy in qualifier. The 17-year-old was thrilled to be asked to loop in the big tourney as well. Purdy severed tendons in his left index finger in June kitchen knife accident, forcing change from overlapping to interlocking grip. Injury requires surgery after 2008 season. Was "bubble boy" at 2007 Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart. Missed cut and finished 127th on 2007 money list, his first year out of the top 125 since 2003. Best 2007 finish was T9 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Earned $1.2 million in 2006. Highlighted by a T4 at the 84 LUMBER Classic and T5 finishes at the Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard and the Southern Farm Bureau Classic. Earned first PGA Tour victory at the 2005 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, shooting a final-round 65 to overtake 54-hole leader Sean O'Hair. Says wining with Byron Nelson there as host is one of his favorite career moments. Treasures a hand-carved clock with personal note that Nelson gave him. Forged friendships with tournament organizers, the red-panted Salesmanship Club of Dallas. Lost frenzied charitable auction for vintage "Caddyshack" inspired No Good Gophers pinball machine signed by Byron Nelson. Salesmanship Club sold him another, proceeds going to charity. Had best major finish with a closing 66 and T10 at the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol. Finished T3 at 2005 Michelin Championship at Las Vegas after leading by 2 with nine holes to play. Had breakthrough season in 2004 making 22 of 34 cuts and posting four top 10's and 2 runner-up finishes. Lost epic 5-hole playoff with Stewart Cink in the 2004 MCI Heritage. Waste areas at Harbour Town Golf Links would never be the same. Missed 3-foot putt to tie winner Jonathan Byrd on 72nd hole of the 2004 B.C. Open. Was first-round leader of the 2004 Valero Texas Open, shooting a course-record tying 9-under-par 61. Finished T5. Earned 2004 TOUR card by virtue of a 15th place finish on the Nationwide Tour money list. Notched initial career win at the 2003 First Tee Arkansas Classic, defeating Chris Tidland on the third playoff hole in near darkness. Earned his 1999 TOUR card with a T14 finish at the 1998 Quaifying Tournament. Made just eight of 27 cuts during his rookie season. Won the 1997 Hero Honda Masters in New Delhi, India. Was named Omni Asian Tour Rookie of the year in 1997. Two-time All-American at the University of Arizona, where he was inducted into its Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Roomed with TOUR player Jason Gore during freshman season at Arizona. Won twice in college, including the 1996 Ping Intercollegiate by six strokes over Stanford's Tiger Woods. Attends UA golf team's fundraiser every year with busload of his Moon Valley neighbors. Runner-up at 1995 NCAA Championship. Won the 1995 Arizona Stroke Play Amateur. Medalist at the 1993 Southwestern Amateur. Arizona's 1991 high school championship medalist for Phoenix Brophy Prep, where he has been inducted into its sports hall of fame. Took over a fund-raising golf tournament for Phoenix charity A Stepping Stone Foundation, which educates underprivileged children and their families. With help from friends, family, Tour players such as Jason Gore, Jerry Smith, Pat Perez and Kirk Triplett, and Phoenix-area celebrities such as Cy Young-winner Brandon Webb, has raised more than $150,000 for the group. Says his mother and grandfather started him in the game of golf while he was still in diapers. Watching TV with his family, decided he wanted to be a pro golfer when Tom Watson chipped in to win 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Owns house on Possum Kingdom Lake northwest of Fort Worth, Texas, where Tour players J.J. Henry, Rory Sabbatini and Chad Campbell ("we're a pretty good foursome") also have houses. Befriended plumbing king Herb Kohler in 2003 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Partners with Kohler executives every year at the tournament. Known for his sweet swing taught to him by life-long instructor Pam Barnett, a Manuel de la Torre and Ernest Jones "swing the clubhead" theorist. Credits fitness expert Mack Newton for honing physical strength and mental toughness. Web sites are www.tedpurdyfoundation.org and www.purds.com.